Multilevel componential house trailer

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a housetrailer having multiple living levels with the addition of folding components for the upper and lower level and capable of being retracted into and about the lower living level to facilitate transportation along public roads with a means of supporting it after having been raised by an auxiliary use of determined number of jacks while a mechanical core for the upper and lower levels is permanently attached to the lower floor and sleeved within the floor of the upper level as the upper level is retracted into and about the lower level.

United States Patent [191 Sharpton Dec. 31, 1974 MULTILEVEL COMPONENTIAL HOUSE 97R66 66 66 22 22 55/55 "n n n m mm fr. mmm hk Ca mQ wufl MMSFF 33699 66666 99999 11111 /I/// 0928 1 06587 5 6m 07 90 70726 33333 [22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Appl. No.: 372,939

Assistant Examiner-Henry Raduazo [57] ABSTRACT The present invention pertains to a housetrailer having 296/23 G [51] Int. E04b l/344 multiple living levels i the addition of folding [58] new of Search 52/66, 671 70; ponents for the upper and lower level and capable of 296/23 23 23 G being retracted into and about the lower living level to facilitate transportation along public roads with a [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS means of supporting it after having been raised by an auxiliary use of determinednumber of jacks while a mechanical core for the upper and lower levels is permanently attached to the lower floor and sleeved within the floor of the upper level as the upper level is retracted into and about the lower level.

1 Claim, 20 Drawing Figures 6999900 BMMMMM 222222 555555 PATENTED B513 1 I974 SHEET DlUF 14 PATENTEU DEBS 1 I974 SHEET 03(1F 14 m GE 1 a.

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PATENTED [1EC3I I974 SHEET 11 0F 14 1 MULTILEVEL COMPONENTIAL HOUSE TRAILER DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Due to various social and economic factors, the mobile homes has been a demanding item. But, due to limitations of length, height and width of vehicles which are transported upon public roads and highways, the total living area has been limited. Although there are some mobile homes which may be carried in sectional units (sectionals, stack-ons, components, etc., single levels, fold-out types, and units with retractable upper levels), these units still required 2 to'4 times as many transporters as would be required using this retractable folding structure when moving from one location to another along public roads and highways. Similar art may be found in US. Pats. Nos. 3,6l2,589; 2,739,833and 2,862,253of 296/23 to 69 I SUMMARY The present invention comprises an improved mobile home or house trailer which is small enough to be moved along public streets or, highways and yet provides substantiallymore living area than an ordinary house trailer of comparable linear dimensions.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a new and improved mobile home having at least an upper living level and a lower living level to which folding components for multilevel living are attached respectively, and an upper level capable of being retracted into the lower level to facilitate transportation upon public roads.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a new and improved mobile home having at least a means supporting the upper level with respect to the lower level which is raised by means of auxiliary jackswith respect to this unit.

It is too the object of this invention to provide a multilevel mechanical core that serves the first and second level respectively which is permanently mounted to the lower level and is sleeved within the floor of the upper level during vertical movement of the upper level.

It is also the object of this invention to provide folda ing components capable of being arbitrarily located along theperimeter of a basic multilevel unit having a retractable or decending upper level with continuous beams which are mounted perimetrically to linearly fixed walls or studs. The component panels will ascend and descend vertically and horizontally as well when they are to be used with a different basic module from what is illustrated in this application, but requiring the same basic means of application as the one illustrated here.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a floor that will elevate vertically along a fixed wall, studs or columns to a given height to provide a split level condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an issometric showing the unit folded for transit.

FIG. 2 is an issometric showing the unit unfolding during erection.

FIG. 3 is an issometric showing the unit unfolded and erected.

FIG. 4 is a floor plan illustrating the playout of the first floor of the erected unit.

FIG. 5 is a floor plan illustrating the layout of the second floor of the erected 'unit.

FIG. 6 is a building section illustrating the building in its folded position incomparison to it unfolded and erected.

FIGS. 60, 6b and 6c are section views taken along lines 7a, 7b and -7c illustrating the building in its folded position.

FIG. 7 is a building section illustrating the unit unfolded and erected in comparison to it folded for transit.

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are section views taken along lines 7a, 7b and 7c illustrating the building unit in the unfolded position.

FIG. 8 is a blown up wall section transversally illustrating the split level wall, floor and roof panels, and those that house the first to second level stairs when the unit is folded for transit. Roof connections are also illustrated, as-well as vent mating.

' FIG. 9 is a blown up wall section transversally illustrating the wall floor and ceiling panels of FIG. 8 in their unfolded positions.

FIG. 10 is a blown up wall section longitudinally illustrating the unit folded and unfolded comparatively with emphasis on major structural panels.

FIG. 11 is a blown up wall section transversally illustrating the wall, floor and roof panels of the recessed lower level with an extended upper level and the living room.

FIG. 12 is a blown up wall section transversally illustrating the panels shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a framing plan showing such a layout for framing the first levelfloor panels.

FIG. 14 is a framing plan showing such a layout for framing the second lever floor panels.

1. End Exterior Wall (full width) 2. Side Exterior Wall (recessed) 3. Full top Exterior Wall 4. Mid-Unit Partition 5. Movable Partitionfor Bath or Util. Rm. 6. Lower Linear Load Bearing Wall 7. Lower Side Wall 8. Upper Linear Load Bearing Wall 9. Divider (fixed 7% fold) End Bracing and Load Bearing Wall (LC) End Bracing and Load Bearing Wall (UC) Bathroom Kitchen Plumbing tree Bathroom or Utility Partition (fixed linear wall) Fixed Partition (Attached Core Panel) Fixed transverse Bathroom Partition ,(LC)

. Base for fixed Bathroom Partition with attached upper part l7. Reclining core panel (attached at base).

. Side wall for living room component Movable partition Hydraulic Jack a End Folding Panel Split Level End Wall (Garage) Stair well Exterior Wall Intermediate Folding Part.

. Pantl (Bridging side) Split Level Wall'Exterior Recessed Component Wall Movable Stair Intermediate Moable partition 30. Major Beams for Decending Second Floor (Perimeter) Lower Split level Wall Outer End Wall (Upper Level) Inner End Wall (Upper Level) l X 4 Lath Strip Intermediate Roof Panels Metal Ties Second Floor Mechanical Core Sill Facia Strips- Fixed Columns or Load Bearing Walls Upon Perimeter Floor Beams of Intermediate Lower Unit.

41. Drain Gutter For Unit.

42. Jack Attachment.

43. Point of Second Floor Panel Separation 44. Ledger Strip 45. First Floor Joists Bolt for Suspended Load Bearing Wall Split Level Suspended Wall Base wall flashing.

. Gutter Drain Continuous Beams for Second Floor (Perimeter) Elastic Flashing Wall Floor, Wall-Wall, or Wall Ceiling Gutter Block First Floor Component Outer Headers Second Level Intermediate Floor Panel Floor or Ceiling Hinge Built Up Roof Bridging Joist Plate (Metal) Second Floor, Component Pivot Beam Continuous Beam for First Floor (Perimeter) Beam Connector Bolts Suspended Wall (Block) Second Floor Hatch Type Pivot Plate Second Floor Hatch Type Pivot Bolt Second Floor Joists Second Floor Extension Component Hinge Split Level Support Wall at Intermediate Component Down Spout Vent Seal (Direct) Second Level Component Floor Panel Sealed Vent Connection (Overlapping) Foam Blocks Split Level Floor Panel Direct Vent Compression Seals (Pivotal) First Floor Component Panel Floor Register Forced Air Vent 78. C-Shaped continuous Joist for Second Level Continuous Panel Floor Beams 79. Second Floor Extension Floor Panel 80. Notation for Typical Outer Component Walls 81. Pitched Roofing 82. Notation for Typical Outer Flush or Recessed Lower Component Wall 83. Notation for End or Intermediate Panel Folding about the First Level Floor Panels Second Floor' Headers for Component Panels Notation for Component Roof Panel Adjoining Beams for Second Floor Components.

. Joists for Wheel Cut Out Extended Upper Floor Components Living Room Pin Rack Roof Headers (Perimeter of Center Unit) Roof of Short Component and Extension Roof of Split Level Component 112. BMT Basement 113. ST Study 114. BR Bedroom A Master Bedroom 115. LR Living Room 116. L-U-S Lower to Upper Level Stair 116a Lower to Split Lever Stair 1 16b Split Lever to Upper Lever 117. S Stair l 18. B Bathroom 1 19. L Lower Living Unit 120. U Upper Living Unit 121. SL Split Level 122. MC Mechanical Core 123. FC Folding Component I24. IL Intermediate Lower Component 125. IU Intermediate Upper Component 126. K Kitchen 127. G Garage 128. UT Utilities 129. H Heater 130. D Dining UFC Upper- Folding Component FC Folding Component LFC Lower Folding Component ERECTION BEGINS (Elevation of Upper Unit) At this time, the unit is prepared to unfold as panels are elevated to their respective erected positions which I shall attempt to illustrate in this description of the folding process. First of all, the upper unit to be elevated 4'-0" to its erected position as shown in FIG. 7 by auxiliary jacks 20,-strategically placed beneath the floor of the upper level; and the bolts 61 are to be used in order to securely attach the second floor continuous beams, 50, to their respective adjacent beams, 95, of the plumbing core, 37; and the continuous beams of the second floor, 30, as shown in FIG. 8. During this lifting process, the split level floor panel 73 is also lifted vertically in its folded position to a height of 4"-0 along the linear load bearing wall 40, as shown in FIG. 10. This panel, it should be noted, ishinged upon a lift 47 that is suspended from the continuous beam 50 of the upper floor. The Split level support pane1'67 is also unfolded about hinge 56f at this time such that its base rests atop beams 60 as a load bearing wall for split level panel 73, as shown in FIG. 7, 8. and 9.

At this time, wall panels type 83 are lifted 90 to their erected position as shown in the section in FIG. 6 and are preferably bolted to joists of the first floor ceiling as shown in FIG. 8 and 9. The upper part of second floor bath room wall panels type are unfolded from their respective folded positions 90 about their bases to their erected positions as shown'in FIGS. 6 and 7.

However, the upper part of the pluming tree is to be constructed at the site after erection and is to be done by conventional means as applied to both plumbing and carpentry.

PREPARATION FOR UNFOLDING OF COMPONENT WALL, FLOOR, AND CEILING PANELS Prior to unfolding, the component panels are to be firmly folded and held along the walls of the basic unit 40 which are referred to here as linear load bearing walls. However, only the beams 50 atop these walls are continuous while the walls themselves are placed for spatial purpose and compensated for structurally by columns 40, spaced 10 0.0. along the continuous floor d ceiling beams M59 saith? fin rs S sqv e l as shownin FIG S. 7 and 8. They should be sandwiched in their respective folded positions as shown in FIG. 6. All component roof panels should hold the outer most position on both sides of the basic central core while the upper wall panel 80, or the panel directly attached to the respective component roof holds the next position. The lower exterior wall panels, 80, 82, if used, should hold the next or third outer most position as shown in FIG. 6 and should occupy the third layer. The next layer of panels should house the first and second floor or simply the first floor component floor panels 70, 75 depending on whether the respective component has a second floor to occupy such space. These two panels overlap each other with the upper floor panel holding the outer most position or the two as shown in FIG. 8. The innermost folding component panels are the end walls, 1, 16, 21, 22 and the intermediate unit partitions 4 and 24, all of which are transversally placed upon their respective first floor panels when unfolded as shown in FIG. 3.

These panels lay on their side, adjacent to its respective first floor panel while they are attached to these floor panels by a hinge 107 about which it rotates during the folding process. However, there are a few cases wherein the upper part 4,24 of these end walls or intermediate component panels must be folded back 180 about a hinge 98 placed at a height that will allow both an intermediate and end panel FCP to fold without overlapping difficulties as shown in FIG. 2. However, since the design of the unit is flexible, the panels may or may not need such consideration, because the distance between such panels may or may not allow them to lay completely upon the floor panel without overlapping each other.

UNFOLDING OF COMPONENT WALL, FLOOR AND CEILING PANELS At this time, the ceiling panels Type 80 is lifted to a horizontal height level with that of the roof about hinges 56h as designated by FIG. 7. Next, the upper and lower walls of wall panel 82 is released at point 108 where the upper end of the wall which is attached to the ceiling panel about a hinge point of type 52!: as shown in FIG. 8. If there is an upper and lower nonrecessed wall panel situation as shown existing in FIG. 8, the lower panel is now released and rotated 180 about points type 66; there is an intermediate connecting hinge 52e attaching the upper and lower exterior side walls 8 and 82 and also houses the extended floor panels 79 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. When this operation is complete, the extension panel is secured at the intermediate joint 52 by bolting it as shown in FIG. 8, and 9.

In some cases, the second floor panel is extended by use of panel79, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 7. The exten sion panel is connected to panel 80 at 86.

This condition provides a recessed lower wall 82 which acts as a load bearing wall under the extended and non-extended conditions. Of course, the outer end of the extension panel84 is spanded linearly and supported by columns or load bearing walls as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

It should be noted strongly that, in this case, the extension panel 79 is hinged about the bottom of panel 80 and the top of panel 82, thereby connecting the two panels indirectly at points 52e and 66.

The next step in the folding process involves the unfolding of lower floor panels 73-75, FIGS. 6 and 7. Prior to unfolding panels (73, 75) are to be released from point 56 by bolts as shown in' FIGS. 8 and 10 to allow the lower floor to rotate downward about a hinge type 56b in order to allow the end and intermediate wall panels 1, 4, 16, 22, 23 and 24 to unfold without interfering with the upper component floor panels which are presently hanging about the linear wall 14 or studs 40 in an upright position (FIGS. 6, 8 and 11). The panels, 80, 82 are hung freely about point 56h until the end and intermediate panels are erected to a vertical position and temporarily secured at the top at point 106. The roof panelsare left free temporarily to allow for movement of the side wall panels when erecting the component floor panels.

At this time, the end and intermediate wall panels 1, 4, 16,21, 23 and 24 are actually erected. Note that these panels are rotated to their position of erection about hinges 107 attached atthe end and intermediate panels are shown in FIG. 10.

The next process of unfolding involves the setting of the upper level component floor panels 70. These panels are rotated 90 from a preferred folded position and bolted into place as shown in FIGS. 6, 5, 8 and 10 at points6l on the respective panels. However, it must be noted that panel type 82 must be in its final position for connection of this panel.

It is also to be noted that panel 80 will conveniently house a forced air vent 77 which is fitted automatically during erection as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Columns may substitute for panel 82 when securely anchored. You will notice in FIGS. 4 and 12 that panel 80 is sandwiched in by panels 80 and 82, and this provides a more sturdy connection. This panel 70 is attached to panel 55 by means of a steal plate 58 as shown in FIG. 8. This plate is set at and overlaps beams 50 for support and is secured by bolts 61.

The next step which must be performed somewhat simultaneously to that of the upper level component is the lower floor panel 75. This panel provides a base for all folding component walls 82. This panel rests upon a field developed foundation and is secured by anchor bolts 65. They are also securely fastened to the intermediate first floor beams 60 by a hinge 56b and when set for final erectionthe panel is securely fastened at 104 by bolts 105.

During the erection of floor and wall panels forced air vents are automatically joined and sealed 71, at all respective points where vents are held by horizontal panels and overlap vertically away from each other. These vents are also connected automatically when they are vertically joined from bottom and top respectively. FIG. 8 at 71 and 111. V

The last major unfolding of components involves the erection of the upper end walls 32. The lower part of this wall is rotated 180 about a hinge 521' located at the vertical center of the panel which attaches it to a fixed upper part in the base of the panel; is attached to perimeter beams 30 as shown in FIG. 9. This wall acts as t a load bearing wall for the roof of the upper level.

At this time, the transit support beams 95 may be removed while the component roof panels 85 resting on the overhanging roof panel 35 are given additional support by such wall panels as 19 shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9. These may be permanently attached by hinge 110 until 70 is to be folded downward about panel 75 due to lack of space. At this time, panel 19 is temporarily placed in an open space in the upper level.

TRANSPORTATION Hydraulic jacks are used to lower this unit upon a chasis, FIG. 1, (a low bed chasis) a type manufactured by several companies. The tires to be used are preferably not more than 24 inches in diameter, and a maximum of 30 inches in diameter. When tires are more than 24 inches in diameter, cut-outs are constructed in lower floor panels in order to provide for wheel clearance.

FIELD WORK The gutters 41 and drains 49 in this case are field applied. They are attached to a block 53 which is customarily designed with fittings for insertion into an opening and secured by screws (FIGS. 8, 9 and 12).

MISCELLANEOUS FIELD WORK Elastic flashing 51 is used at the junction of roof panels 35 and due to movement for transportation while there is still a need for flashing.

Wall base flashing 112 is also partially field applied by applying facia strips 39 on the site as shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12.

Metal ties are used to secure attachment of panels 32 and 33. They are used at the base of panels 80, 82, 10 before facia strips 39 are applied. They are also used as butted ends of adjacent wall panels. The metal ties are also used as top plate metal ties for wall corners of fixed wall and partition intersection of the intermediate floor levels of the unit.

Floor bracing is also field applied.

The foregoing disclosure and description are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various adjustments in sizes, shapes and'materials may be made without departing from the original spirit of the invention.

What I claime is:

l. A multilevel housetrailer. comprising:

l. a lower story living unit including,

a. a floor and ceiling having an outer periphery and means connecting said floor and ceiling in vertically spaced relation at said outer periphery;

b. at least one floor and one ceiling extension pivotally attached to said floor and ceiling periphery respectively;

c. a plurality of wall panels enclosing at least portions of said floor and floor extension;

(1. a split level component pivotally attached to said lower story living unit at the outer periphery intermediate said floor and ceiling thereof; and

II. an upper living unit having,

a. the said ceiling as a floor, an upper ceiling, and a means connecting said ceiling and said upper ceiling;

b. at least one upper floor extension formed by said at least one ceiling extension unit;

c. at least one upper ceiling extension above said at least one ceiling extension; and

d. a plurality of second wall panels enclosing at least a portion of said upper living unit, and said at least one upper level floor extension. 

1. A multilevel housetrailer comprising: I. a lower story living unit including, a. a floor and ceiling having an outer periphery and means connecting said floor and ceiling in vertically spaced relation at said outer periphery; b. at least one floor and one ceiling extension pivotally attached to said floor and ceiling periphery respectively; c. a plurality of wall panels enclosing at least portions of said floor and floor extension; d. a split level component pivotally attached to said lower story living unit at the outer periphery intermediate said floor and ceiling thereof; and II. an upper living unit having, a. the said ceiling as a floor, an upper ceiling, and a means connecting said ceiling and said upper ceiling; b. at least one upper floor extension formed by said at least one ceiling extension unit; c. at least one upper ceiling extension above said at least one ceiling extension; and d. a plurality of second wall panels enclosing at least a portion of said upper living unit, and said at least one upper level floor extension. 